Already a Gold Star recipient earlier this year, Mansfield Middle School has now learned it has been named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2021.
Nomination for the award came in conjunction with the school receiving its Gold Star award, which included a visit from Missouri Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven.
That nomination was then received by U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona, and his staff and they determine the winners.
Just 325 schools received the Blue Ribbon designation nationwide.
“To the middle school staff, a huge congratulations on maintaining the tradition of excellence for these many years,” said Mansfield Superintendent Dr. Richard Wylie in a statement.
“To the members of our staff throughout the district, our Board and our community, the NBRS is a recognition of the Middle School’s academic performance and an endorsement of how hard everyone works for the kids of this community and how much that community supports the district. It is a fact, teamwork and dedication are what makes something like this possible. This recognition confirms what every staff and faculty member at Mansfield knows. From the buses they ride, the meals they eat, the offices they check in and out of, the beautiful facilities they walk through and the lessons they learn, students of this district are well cared for and receive first-rate educational services. I thank you all!”
National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation.
Since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has been seeking out and celebrating great American schools through the process of awarding the National Blue Ribbon. After 38 years, the NBRS Program has bestowed almost 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools.
As part of the selection process for NBRS recognition, the reviewers look at overall academic excellence and progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
The coveted National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. This is the first time a Mansfield school has received such national level recognition.
